Elaia spa has opened in the Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle’s soon-to-be LEED-certified hotel — the first hotel in the city to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

A member of the Green Spa Network, a nonprofit trade organization that promotes sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the spa industry, the 15,000-square-foot spa is committed to energy and water conservation, recycling, waste reduction, and the use of natural and organic products in their services.

Elaia (Greek for olive) features 12 treatment rooms with exquisite lighting that creates a warm, honeyed glow. Each room can accommodate multiple treatments, so there’s no need for guests to shuffle from room to room for their next service. (A good thing, since the spa’s hallway looks right onto the hotel’s parking circle.)

Elaia’s Market Fresh offerings are seasonally changing services that use fresh ingredients sourced from Washington state growers. Current Market Fresh treatments include a lavender mint scrub and a white lavender clay wrap ($120 each). Look forward to a cherry mint scrub and wrap in May.

Other treatments include the Elaia Signature massage, which uses certified organic olive oil from Oregon in a massage that blends Swedish and Thai techniques (60 minutes, $110). During the 75-minute Oxygen Glow facial ($175), vitamin-infused oxygen breathes new life into tired skin.

Careful attention to detail, such as customizable music, is apparent throughout the spa, though I did notice a kink or two to work out; I was assured by the spa manager that the incongruous bottle of Ajax I spied near the nail salon will be replaced by a non-chlorinated, environmentally friendly option.

Elaia’s guests also have access to the hotel’s whirlpool and 65-foot lap pool, which are purified through a saltwater system that eliminates the need for chlorine. You can hear music even underwater, and the pool is surrounded by huge windows that look out onto blossoming trees, reinforcing the feel of an oasis in the middle of the city.

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Sometimes you don’t have to travel far to escape. That’s what I discovered this past weekend at Red Mountain Spa in Ivins.

Many local people think of the spa as a place reserved for visitors from out of town, but many of the amenities are available to Southern Utah residents.

One of those is the Quick Escape package ($79), which I tried out Saturday. It includes lunch at the Canyon Breeze restaurant and a 50-minute Swedish massage.

It works. I really felt as if I had left Southern Utah.

Since it had been 10 years since my last real massage, I wasn’t sure what to expect as I drove along Snow Canyon Parkway in the rain, listening to the relaxing tunes of Gomez. My first surprise was the size of the resort. I parked near the restaurant, figuring the spa would be close by. After wandering in the rain for a few minutes I couldn’t find it.

Luckily, a nice employee in a golf cart, John, offered me a ride to the rounded building that houses the Sagestone Spa.

Stepping inside Sagestone Spa is like stepping outside of Southern Utah. Sure you can still see the Red Mountain outside the windows but it’s definitely a more cosmopolitan atmosphere than is often found in the region.

I changed into a thick, heavy robe in the locker room walked out to meet my massage therapist, Katrina. Soon I was lying facedown on a heated massage table as the escape began.

I carry a lot of stress in my neck and upper back so Katrina concentrated on that area as she began to work her magic.

Long, flowing strokes are characteristic of Swedish massage, which is a more traditional massage style. As I relaxed, her hands became waves of therapeutic strength, washing over my tense muscles and gently lulling them into submission.

Although I didn’t fall asleep, I entered into a near dreamlike state, allowing all my thoughts to be carried away with each stroke.

I barely remember Katrina asking me to turn over as she placed a towel behind my neck and a warm cloth over my eyes. During the last half of the massage I discovered places I didn’t even realize were tense.

Even though 50 minutes sounded like a long time at first, the massage was over too soon. I easily could have gone for another hour. Who couldn’t?

As she finished, Katrina told me to make sure I drank a lot of water so I didn’t get too sore.

After changing out of the robe I met John again and he gave me a ride over to the restaurant. He told me the restaurant features a revolving menu to liven things up for the guests.

At Canyon Breeze I met Tracey Welsh, the spa’s general manager and director of operations, and Tami Prine, the marketing communication manager. We went through a buffet filled with an eclectic mix of healthy choices and found our table.

As the music of Norah Jones played in the background we talked of the spa and Southern Utah in general. Tracey agreed with Katrina that many locals get the feeling that the spa is only for out-of-towners. However, the Quick Escape package is targeted specifically for locals like me who want to get away for a few hours for a relaxing massage and a tasty lunch.

The lunch was tasty. For many there is a myth that healthy food doesn’t taste good. But some of the best meals I’ve eaten are healthy ones. You just have to have some culinary talent in the kitchen, and apparently Red Mountain Spa has that.

For lunch I loaded up my plate with a variety of fresh items from the salad bar, including a new novelty for me: roasted soy nuts. Items like this provide a safe alternative for people with certain allergies.

I also noticed while dishing up my food that many of the dishes were marked as appropriate for spa guests undergoing a “cleanse.”

The flavorful roasted veggies were my favorite part of the lunch. However, I also enjoyed the warm chicken and vegetable soup, which was perfect for the cool, rainy day.

I was reluctant to leave the calming atmosphere of Red Mountain Spa after lunch but my quick escape was over. It was time to leave my two-hour vacation and return home.

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Those who create or promote spa food are often stuck in a defensive crouch, the gist of which is: Our spa food doesn’t taste like “spa food.” They’re hoping to override images of tofu in disguise, mounds of alfalfa sprouts, soy smoothies and meager portions.

Because there seems to be such great interest in low-fat and low-calorie recipes with fresh, bold flavors, an enlightened spa-food movement might be a key new source for home cooks’ inspiration.

The chefs at Arizona’s Mii Amo Spa have provided a good place to start in the 50 or so recipes of Journey of Taste: Favorite Recipes from Mii amo Spa in Sedona. Three-course meals at the spa usually run at less than 700 calories total.

The cookbook’s breakfast offerings are not revelational, but lunch and dinner dishes yield interesting techniques. A blend of mushrooms enriches demi-glace. Nonfat cream cheese (yep, that waxy stuff) is used to build a convincing cream sauce. Risotto is made with just one teaspoon of oil and precious little Parmesan cheese, yet it is flavorful and rich, as it should be.

A few desserts rise to the challenge, too: Tender tart shells are made with flour, salt, brown rice syrup, apple juice and canola oil, and a serving of an almond-ricotta torte contains fewer calories than a single Girl Scout Samoa.

So maybe a luxury spa is out of reach for most of us, but the spa lifestyle has something to offer. The cookbook is now available exclusively through
Journey of Taste: Favorite Recipes from Mii amo Spa in Sedona.

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New Life Hiking Spa Announces Dates for 2009 Season

New Life Hiking Spa will be open for the 2009 season during the dates of May 14 – September 27, 2009. New Life has been open each spring – fall in Vermont since 1978.

Killington, VT- New Life Hiking Spa will be open from May 14 – September 27 for the 2009 season and is now taking reservations. New Life Hiking Spa is a nationally recognized, affordable fitness and weight loss destination celebrating 31 years in business. Founded in 1978 by the director, Jimmy LeSage, M.S., New Life is one of the oldest and most established vacation package programs of its kind in the country catering to over 500 guests each spring through the fall season.

one of the top 10 destinations in the world to get in shape

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For guests booking a 2009 vacation by January 31st, a $20 discount will be offered per person per night.

The New Life Hiking Spa program accommodates approximately 40 guests at a time. Hiking options accommodate beginner, (along picturesque country settings) intermediate, (along the diverse terrain of the Appalachian and Long Trails) and advanced (challenges up the some of the highest peaks in Vermont) fitness levels.

New Life Hiking Spa is an all-inclusive vacation. Prices start at $209 per night and include spacious air conditioned room and private bath, three gourmet meals and nutritious snacks, nationally renowned hiking program (all levels), all exercise classes, massage and / or facials (one per three night stay), use of all facilities and participation in all programs (including cooking demos and lectures).

About New Life Hiking Spa:
New Life Hiking Spa is a nationally recognized affordable spa located in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont. Known for its exhilarating hiking program, a world renowned weight loss retreat, delicious healthy meals and a comfortable atmosphere, New Life Hiking Spa offers the chance to experience the peace of the outdoors in a down-to-earth, country inn environment. It is ideally suited for small groups, couples or individuals trying to improve their fitness level and eating habits. New Life is open each year in Killington, Vermont from mid May through the end of September. New Life offers a variety of vacation options including a 2-4 day mini-getaway, a 5-10 day Jump Start Program and the 11-day or longer Weight Loss Retreat. New Life Hiking Spa was chosen by MSNBC.com as “one of the top 10 destinations in the world to get in shape”, by Shape Magazine as “one of the eight best weight loss spas”, and by Health Magazine as “one of four great weight loss spas”.

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If there was ever a time for Taking the Cure, it’s now. As we move headlong into uncertain economic territory – rollercoaster Dow, layoffs, foreclosures – isn’t it tempting to just yourself in a terry-cloth robe and pretend the world has vanished, if only for a few days? As counterintuitive as it may seem to spend your dwindling assets on a vacation, some vacations can actually be an asset – to your peace of mind.

This winter, destination spas close by are offering deals that soothe even before you walk in the door.

How to choose

The word “spa” means different things to different people, so consider what type of experience you’re craving.

Do you want a boot camp or a pamper palace? Almost anyone can display a “spa” shingle these days – even those ubiquitous nail salons are doing it.

A “spa” is technically a “resort with mineral springs,” according to Webster’s Dictionary, but that definition has been expanded to include an establishment devoted to health, weight-loss, beauty and fitness.

Rule of thumb: If you crave facials, wraps and massages (not to mention a Cosmo or a nice glass of wine at the end of the day), many hotels with spa components offer these indulgences. If changing your lifestyle, losing weight or getting in shape is paramount, check into a destination spa.Destination spas

Deerfield Spa

East Stroudsburg, Pa.

800-852-4494

COST $800 a person, based on double occupancy, for a 10-day stay

This spot in the Poconos opens for the season on April 3. During April, the “stay 10 days, pay for 7″ package includes all meals, one $75 massage, an unlimited number of exercise classes (including Pilates and guided hiking) and accommodations in a homespun-style shared twin room with shared bath.

New Age Health Spa

Neversink, N.Y.

800-682-4348

COST $209 a night per person, based on double occupancy.

You’ll find more bells and whistles than other spas that charge twice the price. Meals are prepared with fresh greenhouse herbs, lettuces and wheatgrass. An extensive list of fitness options include some unusual classes – belly dancing, “aquarobics.” Take on a 50-foot outdoor climbing tower, set off on a bald-eagle watch, go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Evening events include lectures, movies.

Copperhood Inn and Spa

Shandaken, N.Y.

845-688-2460

COST $350 a night per person, double occupancy (two-night minimum)

The spa’s ethos, “guests are never burdened by strenuous exercise” and “starvation is not our philosophy,” sums up a decidedly European way of thinking. Fitness classes here include fencing, and the dining room offers a nice wine list. A stay includes multicourse meals, fitness classes (including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing), indoor pool, modern dance and a stay in country-pine rooms.

Lodge at Woodloch

Hawley, Pa.

866-953-8500

COST From $445 a night per person, double occupancy (two-night minimum)

Voted one of the “Top 10 most luxurious spas in the U.S.” by Forbes magazine, the two-night “Awaken to a New You” package includes three daily meals, snacks, one spa service a day, fitness classes and a private session in your choice of personal training, nutrition, meditation, Pilates or yoga. Among the “mind-expanding” activities available – indoor cross-country biking, geocaching, painting classes, cooking demonstrations and guided hiking in the Delaware Valley. Valid for stays through Feb. 28.

Canyon Ranch

Lenox, Mass.

800-742-9000

COST From $640 a night per person, double occupancy

On the cutting edge, Canyon Ranch brings fitness experts, physicians, nutritionists, mind and body specialists, master chefs and alternative health practitioners together in one place. Luxurious rooms, gourmet dining – with demonstration kitchen, dozens of fitness classes and treatment options are offered and coordinated by your personal Program Advisor. Pricey? Yes, but Canyon Ranch, Lenox’s winter two-night special ($1,280) includes a room, three daily meals, a $260 spa credit and your choice of more than 225 all-inclusive programs and services. (Rates at peak season are almost double this.) Valid through March 31

Hotel spas

Hotel Hershey Chocolate Spa

Hershey, Pa.

717-520-5888

COST From $501 a night for two people

The spa’s most popular treatment, a 15-minute Whipped Cocoa Bath ($45), is an experience comparable to sitting in a cup of hot chocolate. It’s just one of many treats in the three-day, two-night “Chocolate Spa Getaway” package, which includes a $350 spa service credit, a trademark “Spa Rain Shower” and massage, a room at the Hershey Lodge, lunch, fitness classes and admission to Hershey Gardens.

Gideon Putnam Hotel

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

866-890-1171

COST $462 a night for two people

Located in the country’s very first spa town, health seekers have been coming to Saratoga Springs to “take the waters” since the 1800s. And this hotel has been a presence here for nearly as long. As part of the “Spa Retreat” overnight package, a couple can enjoy breakfast, dinner, a one-hour Swedish massage and time in the Roosevelt Bathhouse, where you can indulge in a warm and tingly effervescent mineral soak.

SPA FAQ’s

What should I bring?

For the most part, think “exercise” when stuffing your suitcase. Yoga pants, sweats, jogging bras, bathing suits, aqua shoes, hiking shoes. During the winter, you will be outside quite a bit, whether snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, so pack warm socks, boots, a warm coat and lots of sunscreen. Do not bring the family jewels or couture clothing. Even the most luxurious spa is casual when it comes to dining and downtime.

Will I starve?

No. Three meals a day, plus snacks, are included daily in most destination spa packages, though the food tends to correspond to the level of accommodations. Artfulness of preparation increases with each uptick in price, so expect fresh but basic meals at budget spas such as Deerfield and New Age Health spas, and gourmet cuisine at luxury spas like Canyon Ranch and Lodge at Woodloch. Generally, spas are “health conscious,” which means no alcohol on the premises. There are exceptions, however. European-style Copperhood Spa has its own wine list.

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Spas get specialized
Whether you’re seeking a healthy adventure or a pampered retreat, we’ve found the perfect spa for you.

We don’t have to tell you: Modern life can stress you out. And we all know what stress can do to our bodies. That’s why so many of us are flocking to spas to chill out. There are more than 32 million regular spa-goers in the United States alone. In 2006, the estimated 14,615 spas generated more than $9 billion in revenues. That’s big business.

And like all good businesses, the spa industry is constantly reinventing itself. Spas are now being marketed as a healthy necessity rather than an indulgence. Thanks to a sagging economy, many spas are also cutting rates and offering hard-to-resist package deals. If you’re overdue for some revitalization, Read more…

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Lake Austin Spa Resort

 Austin TX

If you want to de-stress without the woo-woo factor, consider Lake Austin. “A clinical psychologist oversees the mind-body programs here,” says judge Alice Domar, PhD, who loves that solid research backs the spa’s offerings, which range from a variety of yoga classes to meditation and qigong (a set of Chinese breathing and movement exercises). In the mind-body-program category, Lake Austin gets the highest score of any on our list. It also racks up points for its fitness options, including sculling, kayaking, and dance classes. Plus, it’s perfect for control freaks who want to take charge and do their own things—though there’s plenty of guidance for those who want it.
Don’t miss: The class on how to make herbal remedies, using bounty from the spa’s organic gardens.
Cost: $4,335 per week, per person, double occupancy, all-inclusive. Three nights start at $1,455, not including spa services

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Mii Amo at Enchantment Resort Sedona AZ

If you crave mind-body balance and don’t mind a healthy dose of New Age mysticism, Mii Amo is for you. Although its offerings are comprehensive, the goal is to “move your journey forward,” wherever that takes you. You’ll get fit (there’s superb hiking and mountain biking), eat well (our judges love the variety of foods), and pamper your body (dermatologist Day lauds the expert approach to skin care), as well as engage in activities such as the Aura-Soma Color Reading (a color-therapy-and-massage combo) or just focus on meditating and de-stressing.

 Mii Amo makes it all easy. Book one of the 14 guest rooms and two suites in a quiet courtyard sequestered from ringing phones and splashing children. Or, if you want to bring your family, stay at the Enchantment Resort next door.
Don’t miss: The Vortex Walk, during which you’ll hear about the energy Native Americans believe exists in Boynton Canyon.

Cost: $3,854 and up per week, per person, all-inclusive, double occupancy; three nights start at $1,905 per person, double occupancy.

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Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa Aventura FL

On the grounds of a picturesque yacht club, this 75-room spa, founded by late nutrition guru Nathan Pritikin, is the place to go if you have a health concern to address such as lowering high cholesterol, turning around prediabetes, reducing cancer risk, or getting to a healthy weight loss. Most guests come here to achieve a healthy weight and ward off diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. After checking in, you’ll get a battery of medical tests, a strict low-fat, low-processed-carb diet, and a moderate exercise plan. Our judges give high points to Pritikin’s solid staff credentials and proven results in reducing guests’ health risks; physician Bauman scores the spa a perfect 10 for its medical offerings. There’s a complete panoply of advanced body- and skin-care services, from massages to collagen injections, that keep you from feeling like you’re at a boot camp.
Don’t miss: Jet Lag Relief, an aromatherapy massage and stretch service.

Cost: $3,975 and up per week, per person, double occupancy.

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